Monrovia, CA – The Studio Fine and Decorative Arts sale took place on May 18th and 19th and made for an exciting two days at John Moran Auctioneers. In the days leading up to the sale the showroom walls were filled with paintings, and you could not walk more than a few feet without encountering impactful furniture or notable decorative art objects. Buyers were able to select from distinguished makers like Tiffany Studios and Lalique while fine art lovers had many prominent artists to choose from.
Lot 3142: Seven Tiffany-Style Pulled Feather Art Glass Shades $400-600 Sold $7,500.00
Art Nouveau is always a popular period among buyers and when it is combined with the provenance of the Alan Schneider Collection, the results are expounded. The spotlight was on a seventeen-light Gilt-Bronze Chandelier from the first quarter of the 20th Century. Covered in foliate bands and equipped with nine interior light sockets and eight exterior drop pendants, the chandelier outshined its $500-700 estimate and sold for $3,125.00 (includes buyer’s premium).
Decorative glass remains popular with buyers as proven by the competitive bidding over a Loetz Candia Phaenomen Glass Vase. The iridescent blue and yellow vessel was enhanced by a mesmerizing pulled festoon motif. The vase outpaced the $300-500 estimate and sold for $2,812.50 (includes buyer’s premium). The quest for decorative glass continued as fierce bidding surrounded Seven Tiffany-Style Pulled Feather Art Glass Shades. All seven were clothed in green and gold iridescent colors but each one had its unique variation. The 20th Century shades went to auction with a $400-600 estimate but when all was said and done, sold at $7,500 (includes buyer’s premium).
Good things come in pairs as with the Pair of Chinese Silver Plates that were offered from the late 19th/early 20th Century. Each plate had a figurative illustrated center depicting warriors and a chased floral border. The remarkably detailed scenes surely played a role in the plates exceeding their $300-500 estimate and selling at $4,062.50 (includes buyer’s premium). Another pair came in the form of Lalique Art Glass Swans that appear to be gliding on a mirrored surface with etched wave lines to evoke a placid body of water. The frosted glass swans created a serene scene that caused clamorous bidding. The pair glided past the $1,000-1,500 estimate and sold for $2,812.50 (includes buyer’s premium).
“Sara’s painting Eucalyptus landed first place at the 1942 Women Painters of the West, a show that took place annually.”
Lot 4007: Eucalyptus, Sara Kolb Danner (1894-1969) Oil on canvas $500-700 Sold $2,250.00
Fine art had strong sell-through rates in both portraits and landscapes. Artist Sara Kolb Danner (1894-1969) was born on the east coast but spent the latter part of her life making roots in Santa Barbara. Danner studied painting under her father, but she was also known for her drawings, printmaking, and poetry. Sara’s painting Eucalyptus landed first place at the 1942 Women Painters of the West, a show that took place annually. Estimated at $500-700 it sold for $2,250 (includes buyer’s premium). Mountain Landscape by artist Fitch Burt Fulton (1879-1955) also did well at the block. Fulton spent time in both San Francisco and Los Angeles working as a set designer. The majestic mountains depicted in vibrant purples and blues soared past its $1,500-2,500 estimate and sold for $5,312.50 (with buyer’s premium).
In addition to traditional paintings were a nice array of modern 2-D works. Postmodern Abstract Cityscape (appears unsigned) dates from the Mid-20th Century. Its labored surface is textured and layered with an urban post-apocalyptic vibe. The mysterious painting with select vibrant pops of red sold beyond its $600-900 estimate for $3,125.00 (includes buyer’s premium).
Dennis Oppenheim (1938-2011) realized his artistic concepts in the form of public art, performance art, sculpture, photography, and even earthworks. Study for Black Dog in a Cage was a Diptych done in 1992 that later became a 22.5-foot sculpture made of wood, steel, plastic, plaster, and a sound system. $3,000-4,000 was the estimate for Oppenheim’s study, but it sold for $5,312.50 (includes buyer’s premium).
American artist, Mose Ernest Tolliver (1920/25-2006) was born on the Fourth of July and spent the first part of his life working odd jobs to support his family. His love of the outdoors led him to his first artistic expression as a gardener and landscaper in Alabama, “painting” the grounds with his unique arrangement of flower beds. An injury at one of his jobs made it impossible for Tolliver to walk without crutches or canes and his newfound immobility left him struggling with depression. After being encouraged by a friend, he began painting on any surface available to him with house paint. What began as a way to avoid boredom, soon became a beloved daily activity for the self-taught artist. Watermelons (five works), outdid its $600-800 estimate and sold for $1,375 (includes buyer’s premium).
Lot 4219: Study for Black Dog in Cage, 1992 (Diptych) Dennis Oppenheim (1938-2011) Mixed media on paper $3,000-4,000 Sold $5,312.50
Upcoming Auctions
Spring is in full bloom and John Moran Auctioneers has multiple sales to fit every interest whether that is jewelry, turn of the century lighting or contemporary art and design.
• Postwar & Contemporary Art + Design: June 9th | 10:00 am PST
• Postwar & Contemporary Art + Design [*Prints & Multiples]: June 9th | 2:00 pm PST
• Re-Design: Tuesday, July 13th | 12:00 pm PST
• Made in Mexico: Tuesday, August 3rd | 12:00 pm PST
John Moran’s takes the health and safety of our staff and customers seriously; as such, sales will continue to be held online and without a live audience. However, each item is available for preview through appointment. Moran’s auction preview floor is spaced over 10,000 square feet and allows clients to preview objects within established social distancing guidelines so that buyers can feel confident when making an appointment to preview the property. For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com. Bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. Live bidding on a desktop is available through our website; bidding is also supported by telephone or absentee.
Consignments are always welcome:
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